VMware Announces “End” vCenter Server for Windows
Over the past month, VMware has stopped supporting several products from its arsenal at once. One of them was vCenter Server for Windows. It will be replaced by the vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA).
/ Flickr / Alexas_Fotos / CC
The VMware vCenter Server Appliance Module (vCSA) was introduced with the release of vSphere 5.0 in 2011. Initially, it was noticeably inferior in functionality and scalability of vCenter Server for Windows, which appeared in vSphere 3.0. Years passed, and the Linux-based vCSA got rid of its shortcomings, increasing its capabilities.
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As a result, the vCSA module became a unified deployment environment, and the Windows platform was in the shadow. Version 6.5 gave vCSA benefits such as migration features, improved device management, built-in backup and recovery, and VMware Update Manager.
The company used to say that vCSA will become the basis of the future ecosystem. Therefore, the latter decision is not surprising. This step fits into the VMware strategy to simplify data center administration and IT lifecycle management. From this point of view, vSphere environments should have one centralized management platform. vCSA supports the entire vCenter Server stack, the Photon OS operating system and databases (vPostgres).
The centralized platform allows VMware to introduce new solutions at an accelerated pace. For users, this means better adaptability and high availability. The module also offers customers a single update center. Thus, maintenance time and downtime with the departure of the vCSA counterpart are minimized.
Linux expert Stuart Burns (Stuart Burns) is calling for migration to vCSA. He calls the VMware solution scalable, cost-effective and initially prepared for deployment. The migration process using the special service Migration Tool is described in detail in the VMware blog.
Opinions regarding the VMware solution to stop Windows client support are divided. Reddit users in the discussion of the topic expressed dissatisfaction with the web client, which because of its features does not support some functionality. Several panelists argued in favor of the fact that “a large list of theoretical advantages of vCSA is not supported by practically any real advantages,” and “the retirement of the Windows version benefits only VMware developers, not clients.”
Some residents of Reddit believe that the company thus seeks to increase customer dependence on support. And this is explained by the fact that not all vSphere users have the skills to work with Linux.
However, in the same discussion thread, there are opinions that the abandonment of the Windows platform is an attempt by developers to focus on one solution and improve it to improve user experience. In addition, before the release of the next major update vSphere will take at least a year. This will enable VMware to tidy up the module and prepare extensive documentation. And users without experience in Linux gives time to acquire the necessary knowledge.
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/ Flickr / Alexas_Fotos / CC
The VMware vCenter Server Appliance Module (vCSA) was introduced with the release of vSphere 5.0 in 2011. Initially, it was noticeably inferior in functionality and scalability of vCenter Server for Windows, which appeared in vSphere 3.0. Years passed, and the Linux-based vCSA got rid of its shortcomings, increasing its capabilities.
')
As a result, the vCSA module became a unified deployment environment, and the Windows platform was in the shadow. Version 6.5 gave vCSA benefits such as migration features, improved device management, built-in backup and recovery, and VMware Update Manager.
The company used to say that vCSA will become the basis of the future ecosystem. Therefore, the latter decision is not surprising. This step fits into the VMware strategy to simplify data center administration and IT lifecycle management. From this point of view, vSphere environments should have one centralized management platform. vCSA supports the entire vCenter Server stack, the Photon OS operating system and databases (vPostgres).
The centralized platform allows VMware to introduce new solutions at an accelerated pace. For users, this means better adaptability and high availability. The module also offers customers a single update center. Thus, maintenance time and downtime with the departure of the vCSA counterpart are minimized.
Linux expert Stuart Burns (Stuart Burns) is calling for migration to vCSA. He calls the VMware solution scalable, cost-effective and initially prepared for deployment. The migration process using the special service Migration Tool is described in detail in the VMware blog.
Community opinion
Opinions regarding the VMware solution to stop Windows client support are divided. Reddit users in the discussion of the topic expressed dissatisfaction with the web client, which because of its features does not support some functionality. Several panelists argued in favor of the fact that “a large list of theoretical advantages of vCSA is not supported by practically any real advantages,” and “the retirement of the Windows version benefits only VMware developers, not clients.”
Some residents of Reddit believe that the company thus seeks to increase customer dependence on support. And this is explained by the fact that not all vSphere users have the skills to work with Linux.
However, in the same discussion thread, there are opinions that the abandonment of the Windows platform is an attempt by developers to focus on one solution and improve it to improve user experience. In addition, before the release of the next major update vSphere will take at least a year. This will enable VMware to tidy up the module and prepare extensive documentation. And users without experience in Linux gives time to acquire the necessary knowledge.
PS Here are some more articles on our corporate blog:
PPS About what we write on Habré:
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/337694/
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